With the destination of La Liga already decided ahead of Sunday’s Clasico at the Camp Nou, minds at Barcelona and Real Madrid are turning towards preparations for next season.
Barcelona have won three of the last four La Liga titles and four consecutive Copa del Rey trophies, but the Champions League shambles in Rome offered a reminder that now is certainly not the time to stand still. Conversely, Madrid are on course to win a third-straight European crown having long been out of the picture domestically.
There are lots of potential ins and outs at both clubs this summer, and in a World Cup year there is every chance that new targets could emerge for the two Spanish giants.
ESPN FC’s Barcelona (Sam Marsden) and Real Madrid (Dermot Corrigan) correspondents take a look at the main names who will be linked with moves to and from the clubs in the coming transfer window.
BARCELONA
INS
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
Griezmann’s sister and representative reportedly met with Barca officials this week as speculation continues to link the France international with a summer transfer. Barca have denied making an approach and Atletico want him to stay, but it looks increasingly like the forward will join the Spanish champions this summer. His release clause stands at just €100 million, a bargain in the modern transfer market but a fee Barca would have to pay in a lump sum if they can’t negotiate a deal to pay Atletico in instalments.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Neymar’s departure to PSG was compensated for by the arrivals of Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, but neither have provided a direct replacement for the Brazilian on the left. Instead, Jordi Alba’s been given a licence to take advantage of the space in front of him. With that in mind, Barca could be open to the arrival of a more attacking threat to play wide of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi. United’s Martial, frustrated by a lack of minutes under Jose Mourinho, is a name which has continually cropped up.
Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur)
With Javier Mascherano gone, Gerard Pique in his 30s, Thomas Vermaelen’s future uncertain, Yerry Mina unproven in Europe and Samuel Umtiti yet to sign a new contract, the centre-back position at Camp Nou could become a problem. Belgium international Alderweireld’s days at Tottenham appear to be up. The defender has not signed a new deal and will likely be on the move this summer. Barca have shown an interest in the 29-year-old before but may not be prepared to promise him first-team football ahead of Pique and Umtiti.
Arthur (Gremio)
A deal has already been agreed for Barca to sign Gremio midfielder Arthur for €30m plus an additional €9m in potential add-ons in July. Zico says he would be the perfect replacement for Andres Iniesta, but reports in Mundo Deportivo suggests Barca are having doubts about completing the deal. Either way, if they do push the transfer through, it’s more likely that Arthur arrives next January than in the summer.
Matthijs De Ligt (Ajax)
Unlike with Alderweireld, De Ligt may be more willing to play a bit-part role, at least at first, behind Pique and Umtiti. Still just 18, the Dutch centre-back’s outstanding performances for Ajax this season have catapulted him into the view of a number of European clubs. Barca are among them and the rumour mill went into overdrive when he visited the Catalan city in March.
OUTS
Andres Iniesta
The long goodbye has already begun. Iniesta, 34 next week, has confirmed he will leave Barcelona in the summer, with China his most probable destination. The next few weeks will now be about him as he leaves the club after 22 years of service: his last Clasico, lifting his last league trophy, his last game at Camp Nou…
Andre Gomes
Things haven’t gone to plan for Gomes since he swapped Valencia for Barca two summers ago in a deal worth an initial €35m. Unable to lock down a place in the side under either Luis Enrique or Ernesto Valverde, he became a scapegoat for the club’s supporters. So much so, in fact, that in March he revealed that the criticism he received had turned life at his club into “a kind of hell.” Not even on the bench for the Copa del Rey final or against Deportivo La Coruna as Barca sealed the league title, the club will listen to offers for him this summer.
Jasper Cillessen
The Dutch goalkeeper has been the model professional since joining from Ajax in 2016. Despite being backup to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, only ever really playing in the Copa del Rey, he has never complained or spoken out. Last summer he talked of his desire to remain at the Camp Nou and fight for the gloves. But after another year on the bench (coupled with ter Stegen’s incredible form) now may be the time to be a No.1 again. Barca would like him to stay but they won’t stand in his way if he decides to leave. There will be plenty of takers around Europe.
Thomas Vermaelen
Vermaelen had a big impact earlier in the season, filling in admirably for the suspended Pique and then the injured Umtiti. However, he’s one of a number of squad players who could be shifted in the summer. At 32, his injury history and the fact he’s got just one year to run on his contract count against him. Aleix Vidal, Paco Alcacer and Lucas Digne, despite all being younger than the Belgian defender, find themselves in the same category after a season on the periphery.
REAL MADRID
INS
Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Madrid president Florentino Perez is a long-time admirer of Neymar, from the Brazilian’s days as a Santos starlet, through his time at Barcelona, and even since his shock world-record €222m move to PSG last summer. Perez clearly loves the 26-year-old’s mix of on-pitch talent and off-pitch marketability, and sooner or later a spell at the Bernabeu looks inevitable, even if the €400m fee claimed by some outlets seems excessive.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah’s amazing season for Liverpool has pushed the Egyptian right into the elite sphere where Perez likes to do his shopping — although not so much in recent years. Salah’s goal-scoring talent, open personality and popularity in Middle East markets all push towards a Madrid move, while figures in his home country also keep talking up the possibility.
David De Gea (Manchester United)
Famously, only a faulty fax machine stopped De Gea leaving Manchester United for Madrid in summer 2015. Every month since has brought speculation that Spain’s No. 1 goalkeeper will finally complete the move, with rumours especially strong after any high-profile Keylor Navas mistake, of which there have been a couple recently.
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Kane’s excellent displays against Madrid in this season’s Champions League group stage pushed the England striker front and centre of Florentino’s reported list for the summer. Tottenham Hotspur chief Daniel Levy’s tough negotiating style could complicate matters, but Kane’s physicality and directness could make him very popular at the Bernabeu.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is thought to be Hazard’s biggest fan at the club, while the Chelsea man is also clearly keen to play under his boyhood idol. Perez’s views on the Belgium international are less clear but, after a less-than-vintage season at club level, a big World Cup would push the 27-year-old up the list.
Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad)
Madrid need cover in defence, hence the reported interest in Real Sociedad right-back Alvaro Odriozola. The pacy, attack-minded Odriozola will go to the World Cup with Spain this summer, and the €40m-rated 22-year-old already shares an agent with current Madrid player Casemiro and former Bernabeu favourites Roberto Carlos and Xabi Alonso.
Fabian Ruiz (Real Betis)
Relatively unknown 12 months ago, Real Betis midfielder Fabian Ruiz has been one of the stars of the season in La Liga, leading both Madrid and Barcelona to reportedly make their interest known. But Fabian, 22, will want to avoid the fate of former Betis teammate Dani Ceballos, who has barely played this season after moving to the Bernabeu last summer.
OUTS
Gareth Bale
After years of insisting on staying to meet all challenges at the Bernabeu, recent months have brought a radical shift. Bale himself used a recent interview to, for the first time, talk up the idea of joining another club. That was Bayern Munich, who Madrid eliminated from the Champions League this week despite Bale spending most of the tie on the bench, while Premier League suitors including Manchester United would also surely make another push to persuade him to return to Britain.
Karim Benzema
The 2017-18 season also looks to be the point at which Karim Benzema lost his untouchable status, despite his brace against Bayern. Benzema’s closeness to both father-figure Perez and fellow Frenchman Zidane makes his future difficult to predict, but all parties may decide to end things this summer, especially if Madrid sign a couple of new big-name attackers.
Keylor Navas
Ex-Levante goalkeeper Navas has never really been accepted by some Bernabeu fans and pundits, with the Costa Rica international dealing with speculation over his future from day one. Despite recent assurances over his future, De Gea’s possible arrival would surely lead to his exit. That said, current back-up Kiko Casilla is also expected to leave this summer.
Mateo Kovacic
Talented midfielder Kovacic has played over 30 times in each of his three seasons in Madrid, starting some big games too, but is still a back-up to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The Croatia international turns 24 on the day of the Clasico — and may be tempted by an offer of a more central role elsewhere, while Perez could be looking for funds if wheeling and dealing starts.
The local lads
This season has not turned out as hoped for most of Madrid’s younger squad members — with Borja Mayoral, Dani Ceballos, Marcos Llorente and Achraf Hakimi all getting very limited minutes. All could be playing elsewhere next season, whether via loans or permanent transfers including a buy-back clause.
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